Crosshaven RNLI respond carry out medevac to man bitten by shark while angling

Lifeboats News Release

Saturday 1 September 2018

A Belfast man sustained a serious lower arm injury this evening after being bitten by a Blue Shark whilst angling.

Crosshaven RNLI volunteers received the information at 6pm this evening (Saturday 1 September) and launched the lifeobat immediately. It is understood the angler had caught a Blue Shark and sustained the bite while recovering it onto the angling boat. The deep sea angling boat Deora De steamed towards Crosshaven from about eight miles offshore and rendezvoused with the Crosshaven lifeboat about four miles south of Roches Point. The casualty had been given immediate first aid by the crew of the angling boat before being transferred to the lifeboat where further casualty care was given on board by lifeboat crew.

The lifeboat was met at Crosshaven by a NAS Paramedic crew who transported the casualty to University hospital.
The crew of Crosshaven RNLI wish the man well.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.